The department says it launched its drone program in 2023 to assist patrol officers with critical support
SEAT PLEASANT, Md. — Two people, including a juvenile, are in police custody after fleeing from Seat Pleasant police in a suspected stolen car.
On Wednesday afternoon investigators said they noticed a stolen car parked in a strip mall in the 6200 block of Central Avenue. Officers said they watched as three people got in the car and took off across the parking lot, over a curb and onto Central Avenue toward D.C. The chase was called off by a supervisor, but the department’s drone watched as the car sped into an intersection a few blocks away and crashed into another car.
Police say one person was injured in that crash.
Drone video shows the three suspects then flee on foot.
On July 31, 2024, at approximately 3:20 pm, Seat Pleasant police officers were patrolling in the 6200 Block of Central Avenue due to a series of recent thefts in the area. While in the parking lot, one of our officers was alerted to a stolen vehicle in the area. Officers located the vehicle, a white Mercedes G25, and began visual surveillance with assistance from the Seat Pleasant Police Department drone.
A short time later, the vehicle became occupied, and officers attempted to conduct a stop on the vehicle at which time the vehicle fled from officers driving onto Central Avenue westbound towards East Capitol Street. The on-duty supervisor did not authorize a pursuit, and all officers disengaged. The Seat Pleasant drone continued its covert surveillance and stayed over top of the vehicle as it continued down East Capitol Street towards Washington, DC.
The vehicle entered the intersection of East Capitol Street and Southern Avenue NE and collided with another vehicle. As the three occupants began to flee from the vehicle, our officers were notified and responded to the scene to render aid and assist in the apprehension. With the assistance of the Seat Pleasant drone, officers were able to apprehend two suspects, Antoine Lowery, a 19-year-old male from the District of Columbia and a juvenile male. One handgun with an extended magazine and a large amount of suspected cocaine was recovered. The Metropolitan Police Department was notified and responded to the scene to take custody of the suspects. Criminal Charges in Maryland are pending after further consultation with the Prince George’s County State’s Attorney’s Office.
The Seat Pleasant Police Department began using its unmanned aircraft, commonly known as a drone with the call sign Hawk, in 2023 to assist our patrol officers with critical support. In this instance, the drone played a pivotal role in providing aerial assistance and capturing these suspects.
Posted by Seat Pleasant Police Department on Friday, August 2, 2024
Bodycam footage shows officers on the ground quickly locate one of the suspects, identified by police as 19-year-old Antoine Lowery of D.C, nearby.
Lowery can be seen stopping for police, but after a few seconds bolts away from officers before he’s stopped and taken into custody.
Seat Pleasant’s police drone caught up with a second suspect, a juvenile, near an apartment complex feet away from where the crash occurred.
Communication from the drone operator helped responding officers find the child hiding behind bushes.
Seat Pleasant police said the drone played a critical role in making these arrests. They said they found suspected cocaine and a handgun with an extended magazine in the car that was reported stolen.
Authorities also tell WUSA9 they are seeking to identify and charge the third person who was in the suspected stolen vehicle.
